Artur betting on his best friend was tantamount to saying he’d managed to convince the other man to agree to the job.But all he said was: “Really?”
Artur nodded.“Yep.He likes your girlfriend’s cousin, and he likes Liv.So.”
Jason wasn’t going to let Artur goad him into a conversation about the situation happening with Naomi.At least not yet.He owed the man, but not that much and not…for now.
But hadn’t he just discussed the possibility of looking forlorn and approaching Abe to cater the wedding?Hadn’t he just had this conversation with Naomi while waiting for chicken rice at Jimmys?
He had.
They’d also discussed what they’d add to sweeten the deal when making the offer.
So, what could be the harm of actively testing out the offer he’d suggested to Naomi?But not without doing a little research.“Anything you think we can sweeten the deal with?”
“Not having to associate with Ida is one of the things, but you’ve already got that.”
Which was the first thing he’d discussed with Naomi.She’d be thrilled to have their theory confirmed—that Abe’s previous reluctance came from the fact that unlike the b’nai mitzvah, the wedding had suddenly been swooped up and put under Ida’s auspices.But Artur didn’t have to know about the discussion.All he had to say was: “That we do.”
“But also,” said the other man, accompanied by a very significant look in his direction, “maybe some particular assistance might be needed.”
The meaning of that stare wasn’t lost on Jason.
And, considering this was the balloon of an offer he’d tested on Naomi, he’d have no problems actually following through…despite his earlier misgivings on involving his fingers in the catering for his best friend’s wedding.“I can get my hands involved,” he said, “if Abe needed some help.I’ve got a skill set I can share for sure.”
“Good.”
And that was as good as done, the offer made as clear as it could be to someone who could keep secrets.“I haven’t heard anything about the bachelor party,” Artur continued, as if the conversation about the catering hadn’t happened, “but I think that’s Lev’s territory?”
Jason nodded.Having two very close friends gave Ash a pretty big amount of leeway when it came to the duties that would be given to the best man.“There’s other stuff he wanted, so I’ve got the rest of it in a planner.If I need a sounding board, do you want in?”
“Absolutely,” the other man replied.“Count me as your sounding board in chief.”
“Glad to hear that,” Jason replied.“I appreciate that as much as I will absolutely savor this piece of pastry art.”
Artur laughed.“Glad my choice of venue has excellent pastries.But of course, the other stuff?”
Jason raised an eyebrow.“What other stuff?”
“The stuff we talked about a few months ago.When I saved you from Samuel?Someone.Lev, probably.When I told you about being on the same page?”
And there they were, having the conversation about the progress of his relationship with Naomi.Artur never came at anything directly; he hadn’t known the man long, but there were always long and winding roads that brought him to the place where that fundamental question would be asked.“I remember,” he replied.“And I’m happy to report we’re on the same page, though if you use the ‘g’ word in front of her, I will personally ensure that there will be a worldwide shortage of sour cream.”
The other man blinked; the threat had been sufficient.
“Message received.Ixnay on the formal relationship terms.”
“Good,” Jason replied with a grin.“Anyway, the whole thing is that we’re trying to figure out where we are in our story.”
“Just be careful,” the other man replied.“Make sure you’re clear, otherwise you two are going to be diving right into that black moment.”
Jason nodded.“We’re focused; we’re trying to save the wedding.And I think that will help us get to the right words to define what’s happening with us, or at least acknowledge them when we’re both feeling ready to use them.”
“Hope so,” he said.“I hope for both of you.”
And as he left the coffee shop, bagels and a fresh black and white cookie in tow, Jason shook his head.Naomi was going to flip when she heard.
*
Once she gotthe text from Jason, Naomi could no longer justify staying in bed; she had way too many other things to do to take care of.So, she got up, showered, and headed to Jason’s kitchen in search of…
